Image caption
Max Pendleton said his daughter apologised to him after winning silver in her final race

Victoria Pendleton's father said the cyclist's final race before retiring from the sport had been "tainted" and "tinged with bitterness", despite her winning an Olympic silver medal.

The 31-year-old lost her Olympic sprint title to Australian Anna Meares at the London 2012 velodrome on Tuesday after winning gold in Beijing.

The venue filled with boos after officials relegated Pendleton from the first final heat for allegedly breaking the rules.

Her father Max said despite her losing her Olympic title due to an official's decision, she had still done "exceptionally well" to get silver.

Pendleton was a favourite to win this year's sprint title, but in the final she had to face her fierce rival Meares, whose burst of speed in the final leg meant she got her hands on her second gold in eight years.

In an emotional interview after the race Pendleton, who was born in Stotfold, Bedfordshire, said she could not believe her career was over, and said: "I'm just so glad that's it all done and I can move on."